Despite reports to the contrary, the next iteration of the Porsche GT3 will not get a dual-clutch PDK transmission. This news comes direct from Porsche CEO Matthias Muller in a recent interview with Motor Trend.

According to the earlier info the 991 GT3 was set to receive a new PDK-S unit that would be lighter than the current version used, making it more suitable for the track-capable street car. The issue of whether or not a dual-clutch “automatic” is appropriate for a purists car like the GT3 seems to now be solved. This move comes as somewhat of a surprise as one of Porsche’s main goals with the new 911 was to make it a nicer (read: more comfortable) driving experience. And a dual-clutch unit would certainly make the GT3 more accessible to a new group of buyers – even if it’s seen as the worst thing since the Cayenne by the Porsche faithful.

It goes without saying that eventually the GT3 will get a dual-clutch transmission, although the good news is Porsche certainly isn’t ready to give up on the stick-shift just yet. With a new 7-speed unit developed for the 2012 911 (above), Muller comments that as long as customers demand a stick shift, Porsche will deliver.

GALLERY: 2012 Porsche 911

[Source: MotorTrend]

Ford is taking its engine downsizing strategy to extremes with the next-generation Fusion mid-size sedan, with plans to offer a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder version. That may sound unbelievably small, but the engine will get Ford’s EcoBoost technology with turbocharging and direct-injection and should deliver roughly 180-hp.

In addition, Ford will also offer a version of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost 4-cylinder that has just been introduced under the hood of the 2012 Explorer and 2012 Edge. In the Edge, that engine makes 247-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, more than enough for any mid-size sedan.

In order to get the most fuel economy from this new model (which is expected to grow slightly from the current Fusion), the 2013 car is expected to get start-stop technology as well as grille shutters that close at speed to help improve aerodynamics.

Look for the 2013 Ford Fusion to bow at the Detroit Auto Show this January.

[Source: FordInsideNews]

From the moment Lamborghini made its foray into sports car manufacturing, they have been masters of stunning the audience. It is exciting to hear, then, that the recent masterpiece from the Raging Bull, the Sesto Elemento, will not be the last of the hyper-limited edition Lamborghinis to be built.

From Miuras to Murcielagos, hardly any automaker comes close to Lamborghini’s level of insanity. Lamborghini cranked it up to eleven when they unveiled the Reventon concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, producing twenty of them for 2009 at more than $1 million a pop.

Then, Lamborghini captivated the crowd once again at the 2010 Paris Auto Show with the raw and mighty display of the Sesto Elemento. Showcasing one of the most advanced and complex carbon fiber architectures in the world, the Sesto Elemento delivers a V10 packing 570 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque fitted inside a mere 999kg (2,202 lbs) package. This combination propels the special Lambo from zero to sixty in only 2.5 seconds. To the satisfaction of extremely wealthy car enthusiasts around the world, Lamborghini will sell twenty track-only examples to their customers for a very hard to believe $2.6 million, more than double the price of the Reventon.

To this, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann responded, “Once in a while we should do one-offs or special editions… In this case, we made the concept and then got enough interest in it to make a limited run. If the car meets the image of Lamborghini and there is demand, we will build them… The key is that every car we build meets the emotional standards of our company, and that it is profitable. We build cars of dreams for car lovers, and that must stay core to the brand.”

There are no definitive details on Lamborghini’s next exciting project.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

GALLERY: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Debut

[Source: Autocar]

Have you ever wondered why women get cheaper auto insurance than men? Is it because of their safer driving habits? According to a new study out of England, it might be because they are lying when they apply for car insurance.

New research from eInsurance Group reported that 20 percent of its insurance policies sold in May resulted in fraud investigations, with 51 percent of declined applications coming from women and 49 percent from men. So what were drivers lying about? The top three fibs to make the list are: not disclosing convictions (total 47 percent – 64 percent male, 36 percent female); misleading information about how long they’ve held a license (total 32 percent – 32 percent male, 68 percent female); and lying about possessing a no-claims discount (total 19 percent – 47 percent male, 53 percent female).

“These results show that basing insurance premiums on gender alone is misguided,” said Alan Sanderson, CEO of eInsurance Group. “The insurers should do more to tackle the liars, whoever they are, and reward honest drivers.”

What do you think about this report? Do you think the policy of charging men more than women for auto insurance is fair or is this study just a fluke? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.

With Audi already now sporting an A5 and S5 cabriolet in its lineup, it’s almost a no-brainer for them to release an RS5 cabriolet variant to battle it out with BMW‘s M3 convertible.

It looks like the RS5 Cabriolet may become a reality sooner than later too, as Carscoop has gotten their hands on Audi’s official trademark filings for the convertible RS5 sports car. The images show off the facelifted RS5 sans roof, featuring seating for four and looks to sport the same soft top the current A5 and S5 convertibles have.

It will also be no secret what will be under the hood of the RS5 Cabriolet, with Audi pretty much confirming that it’ll be powered by the same 4.2L V8 with 450-hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system, just like the RS5 coupe.

GALLERY: Audi RS5 Cabriolet

[Source: Carscoop]

It’s no secret that the Chinese have been eyeing up General Motors‘ technological expertise when it comes to vehicles like the Chevy Volt (pictured above).

Now it appears that GM and SAIC Motor Corp in Shanghai have decided to set up a joint venture to further EV development, with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) serving as the hub for development of new vehicle technologies and architecture.

According to an official press release from the General, ‘the agreement will leverage SAIC’s market knowledge and local expertise along with GM’s expertise in electric vehicle development and global know-how. It will ensure local input in the development of electric vehicle technology and the delivery of products developed in China.’

Tim Lee, president of GM’s International Operations believes that this latest joint venture, which builds on partnerships established by the U.S. auto giant and SAIC for 15 years, represents a broad range of benefits made possible by the commitment of the two companies in this venture, as well as representing an “unprecedented level of cooperation.”

Given current political pressure around the world to produce still cleaner, more efficient vehicles, the joint venture between GM and SAIC to develop electric vehicles may seem like a match made in heaven. In China, cars developed from this venture will be sold through SAIC and Shanghai GM, while in other markets both automakers plan to use the architecture to build and market cars and trucks.

However, some industry pundits predict that the partnership will ultimately benefit SAIC more than GM, given that both car makers plan to sell EVs in different markets around the world, which could lead to them competing directly against each other. It’ll be interesting to see how things unfold.

Lexus is looking to follow up their record-setting Nurburgring LFA edition with a Tokyo Edition model, which is supposedly making its debut at, where else, the Tokyo Motor Show.

Details are light right now, but the Tokyo Edition LFA will allow us to see the LFA’s carbon fiber skin on the roof and the wing. Even though extensive details about the Tokyo Edition LFA have not yet been released, somehow the pricing premium was – the model is rumored to be another $54,445 or so more than a standard LFA. For that premium, we better hope it’s more than just a lack of paint the Tokyo Edition LFA will be sporting.

[Source: CAR]

10,631 Kia Sorento SUVs built between June 15th, 2006 and November 27th, 2007 will be recalled due to a faulty airbag issue where the passenger-side air bag may be turned off even when an adult is occupying the seat. Naturally, the Occupant Classification System is designed to be turned off when children or small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, but in the recalled models it can mistakenly classify an adult passenger as a child. If the air bag is deactivated, the light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.

The recall will have vehicle owners’ programming updated by Kia in the Sorento’s OCS module at no charge. Owners that are affected may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Infiniti already claims the new M35h is the world’s quickest hybrid with a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds. Now the Japanese luxury automaker can add one more performance credential to the car’s list: the Guinness World Record for the fastest hybrid.

The certification was given after auto journalist Tim Pollard of CAR Magazine piloted the luxury hybrid sedan down the 1/4 mile drag course at the UK’s Santa Pod strip, setting an average time between the runs of 13.9031. Pollard’s best run clocked just 13.8960, with all trap speeds above 100 mph.

The M35h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 302-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to an electric motor that adds 67-hp more. Plus, with all this performance, Infiniti claims a 27-mpg city rating and 29-mpg highway.

GALLERY: Infiniti M35h Guinness World Record Run

If you’re going to attempt a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest parade of hearses, there’s no better place to do so than in Hell. That’s Hell, Michigan, by the way.

Hosted by Just Hearse ‘N Around, “Hells’ best car club,” and Screams Ice Cream & Halloween store, the annual Last Rides Reunion Hearse Show attracted a total of 51 often highly customized rides. A total of 50 were required to set the new record and with 49 registered it appeared as though the club wouldn’t hit the mark, but before the parade of hearses began a 50th showed up, followed by one more from the O’Guinn Family Funeral Homes – the only working hearse in the group.

See all the photos from the colorful meet here and check out video of the driver after the jump.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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